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The Coast Guard, in coordination with the Republic of Palau Division of Maritime Law Enforcement and the Royal Australian Navy Maritime Surveillance Advisor, partnered to provide assistance to the Republic of Palau in the rescue of 10 mariners from the Philippine Sea, approximately 103 miles northeast of Palau, Monday.

Coast Guardsmen aboard a small boat from the 110-foot Coast Guard Cutter Washington assist in transferring 10 canoeists, who were saved by the cargo vessel Hyundai Unity, March 4, 2013, approximately 103 miles off the coast of Palau. The Coast Guard, in coordination with the Republic of Palau Division of Maritime Law Enforcement and the Royal Australian Navy Maritime Surveillance Adviser, partnered to provide assistance to the Republic of Palau in the rescue of the 10 mariners from the Philippine Sea. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)

Using a satellite telephone, a crewmember aboard a 60-foot voyaging canoe contacted officials at the Palau Community College and indicated the vessel was breaking apart and sinking, at 6:30 a.m. Chamorro Standard Time, Monday.

After receiving the call, the college officials contacted the appropriate Palauan Agencies in accordance with their National Search and Rescue Plan, who requested assistance from the U.S. Coast Guard in accordance with a long-standing Memorandum of Understanding under the Compact of Free Association.

The mariners in distress began their trip aboard the 60-foot traditional sailing canoe, traveling from Palau to the outer islands of Yap State, in the Federated States of Micronesia. The vessel had 10 crewmembers aboard, including students from the Palau Community College. Aboard the canoe were two Americans, seven Palauans and one Japanese citizen.

Coast Guardsmen aboard a small boat from the 110-foot Coast Guard Cutter Washington assist in transferring 10 canoeists, who were saved by the cargo vessel Hyundai Unity, March 4, 2013, off the coast of Palau. The Coast Guard, in coordination with the Republic of Palau Division of Maritime Law Enforcement and the Royal Australian Navy Maritime Surveillance Adviser, partnered to provide assistance to the Republic of Palau in the rescue of the 10 mariners from the Philippine Sea. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)

The Coast Guard launched the 110-foot Cuter Washington to assist in the rescue and requested long range aircraft support from the U.S. Navy’s Combined Task Force 72, located in Kadena, Japan. The Coast Guard also contacted the crew aboard the Panamanian-flagged vessel Hyundai Unity, who was in the vicinity of the distress location. The vessel crew diverted from their course toward the distress position.

The crew of the Hyundai Unity spotted the individuals at 11:32 a.m. and began the process of rescuing the crew members. The Washington’s crew met up with the Hyundai Unity crew to safely transfer the 10 canoeists and take them to Palau.

This successful response was greatly assisted by the foresight and planning of the vessel crew, who filed a detailed float plan prior to departing, and maintained a full suite of lifesaving equipment, including a satellite telephone and personal flotation devices for each person aboard.

Hawaiʻi Island police are searching for a 16-year-old Puna girl reported as missing.

Charlierose Rodrigues-Kihe

Charlierose Rodrigues-Kihe was last see in Keaʻau on December 7. She is described as 5-foot-3, 130 pounds with black hair and eyes.

Police ask that anyone with information on her whereabouts call the Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers doesn’t record calls or subscribe to caller ID. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.

The House Committee on Finance unanimously passed HB1419 HD1, which will appropriate additional funds to support the development and expansion of Hawaii’s aerospace and related industries.

Supplemental funding will be provided to the Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems (PISCES) to help attract aerospace technology and corporations to Hawaii. The funding will capitalize upon Hawaii Island’s lunar-like terrain to build an aerospace research and development park which will create new high paying technology-related jobs.

Big Island lawmakers are excited about the many opportunities PISCES will bring to their island including new industries and jobs, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education programs for students.

Representative Mark Nakashima (Hamakua, North Hilo, South Hilo) stated, “The expansion of PISCES will build upon our already globally recognized Institute for Astronomy at the University of Hawaii-Hilo and will continue to position the Big Island at the forefront of space enterprise.”

“It will create a world-class program to facilitate the design, testing, and validation of new technologies that support both robotic and human missions to space,” said Representative Clift Tsuji (Keaukaha, parts of Hilo, Panaewa, Waiakea).

“The program is and will continue to be a significant economical and technological benefit to the State of Hawaii, but most especially for the Island of Hawaii,” added Representative Richard H.K. Onishi (Hilo, Keaau, Kurtistown, Volcano).

The bill was introduced by several lawmakers including Rep. Angus McKelvey (West Maui, Maalaea, North Kihei) who noted, “this is an opportunity to establish Hawaii as the next global hub of the aerospace industry and provides the funding necessary for us to realize humankind’s full potential in space exploration.”

The bill now moves to the floor for full House of Representatives consideration where, upon passage, it will crossover to the state Senate. Senator Gilbert Kahele (Hilo) pledged his support for the bill stating, “I am in full support of the development of the PISCES program and I will work hard to ensure that the measure is fully heard before the Senate.”

Gov. Neil Abercrombie today announced that the State of Hawaii and Citigroup Global Capital Markets, Inc. (CGMI) agreed to have CGMI purchase all of the state’s approximately $231 million remaining balance of the Student Loan Auction Rate Securities (Securities) at full face value.

The state purchased the Securities from CGMI back in February 2008. The market for purchasing and selling these Securities subsequently collapsed as a result of the global financial crisis, thereby limiting the state’s ability to sell the Securities at full face value.

Fortunately, the state sufficiently adjusted its investment portfolio and avoided having to sell the Securities for cash flow purposes during this period. In November 2010, the state and CGMI entered into a settlement agreement that required CGMI to purchase all outstanding amounts held by the state on June 2015. At that time, the state held approximately $869 million of these Securities. Since then, the Abercrombie Administration and CGMI have been actively reducing portions of the holding, ensuring that no loss of principal occurs. This balance represents the last holdings of the Securities as well as the largest portion to be settled.

“By working with CGMI, the State of Hawaii was able to sell, without incurring any loss, all of the Securities in an accelerated manner ahead of the originally agreed upon June 2015 date,” said Gov. Abercrombie.

When the state purchased the Securities, they were rated “AAA,” which is the highest investment rating. While the state held the Securities, the state received all of the principal and interest payments due on the Securities.

“Our collaborative efforts with CGMI resulted in the state resolving this issue much earlier than provided in the settlement agreement,” said Finance Director Kalbert Young. “While this does not result in any additional new money to the state, it does allow us to strategically invest these funds to meet future obligations.”

Public Finance Managing Director and Co-Head Frank Chin said: “Citigroup is pleased to have worked closely with the Abercrombie Administration in the removal of all the auction rate securities from the state’s portfolio well ahead of the agreement schedule. We are proud of our longstanding relationship with, and commitment to, the state and are pleased to see this issue resolved.”

Hawaiʻi Island police have arrested a Hilo man in connection with three burglaries in Kona last year.

Two of the burglaries took place August 29 in the Seaview Circle subdivision. The third was October 30 off Old Māmalahoa Highway in Hōlualoa.

Jaren Larinaga-Napihaa

Jaren Larinaga-Napihaa was arrested Thursday (February 28) in Hilo and charged with two counts of failure to appear in court. He was also arrested on suspicion of burglary. On Friday (March 1) police charged him with second-degree theft and three counts of first-degree burglary. His bail was set at $100,000.

Hawaiʻi Island police are asking for the public’s help in identifying a woman wanted in connection with a theft investigation.

Have you seen her?

A wallet was removed from a shopping cart in the parking lot of Target Stores in Hilo on December 3. The suspect is described as a Hawaiian mix female in her 30s to 40s about 5-foot-5 with black hair, a fair complexion and a medium build. She was seen operating a newer-model silver Toyota 4Runner. Police ask that anyone with information on her identity or her whereabouts call the Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers doesn’t record calls or subscribe to caller ID. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.

Entry fee is $15 for amateurs and a reduced price of $30 for professionals—culinary students can enter for free. Suisan Company offers seafood to contestants at wholesale price. Entry deadline is March 8 and forms can be downloaded at www.SamChoysKeauhouPokeContest.org.

The Late Guy Toyama’s winning Poke from the 2012 Sam Choy Poke Festival

Competition is in six categories: traditional, spicy, cooked, poke with soy sauce, non-seafood and sushi style.

Contest festivities are 10 a.m.-3 p.m. with most of the activities outside on the Bay View Lawn. The poke contest and judging will be inside the Sheraton’s Ainakai restaurant.

Public admission to all contest activities is $5 at the door (keiki 12-and-under are free) and benefits “The Heart of the Campus-Equip the Kitchens Campaign” for the future Hawaii Community College-Palamanui campus. A free trolley will operate from Keauhou Shopping Center (pickup near Longs Drugs) from 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Sam Choy and the Contestants at the 2012 Contest

Poke critiquing begins 10 a.m. with awards and public tasting at 12:30 p.m. Also on tap is an all-day Hawai‘i Island Marketplace; a demonstration on making tropical libations by mixologist Joey Gotteman of Young’s Market at 10:30 a.m., a Celebrity Poke Cook-off at 11:30 p.m. and a demo on “How to Make Poke by Sam Choy” at 1:30 p.m. Enjoy traditional and contemporary Hawaiian music by Kapala of O’ahu.

An informational briefing is being held to discuss the economic impact of the Armed forces in Hawaii.

WHO: The House Committee on Veterans, Military & International Affairs, & Culture and the Arts and the Senate Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs

WHAT: Informational hearing on the economic impact of the Armed Forces in Hawaii

WHEN: Wednesday, March 6, 2013, 9:00 a.m.

WHERE: Conference Room 309, Hawaii State Capitol

It will also address the effects that across the board cuts in the federal budget, known as sequestration, will have on the military in Hawaii. The following individuals, or their representatives, have been invited to participate in the briefing:

Admiral Samuel Locklear, United States Pacific Command

General Herbert Carlisle, United States Pacific Air Forces

Admiral Cecil Haney, United States Pacific Fleet

Lieutenant General Francis Wiercinski, United States Army Pacific

Lieutenant General Terry Robling, United States Marine Forces Pacific

Rear Admiral Charles Ray, United States Coast Guard, District Fourteen

Major General Darryll Wong, Hawaii State Department of Defense

The Committees will also hear from the following invited defense contractors, or their representatives:

Alan Hayashi, BAE

Bill Ryzewic, BAE Shipyard

Ben Nakaoka, Navatek

Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans, Representative K.Mark Takai said, ” the military is an integral part of our community in Hawaii and it goes without saying that what impacts our Armed Forces will affect all of our citizens. The country’s Defense Department will be hit particularly hard by sequestration and we need to have as much information as we can get to prepare for and deal with this critical issue.”

The briefing will be televised live by Olelo on Channel 49.

Admiral Cecil Haney just stated the following on Facebook:

As a result of an indefinite continuing resolution and sequestration budget cuts, we will make tough choices to delay or cancel some training, operations, and maintenance and will defer these decisions until the last possible moment in order to provide flexibility and thoughtful deliberation. Our guiding principles will be to protect forward readiness and minimize the impact on our people. I am particularly concerned about the potential furlough one day a week of our valuable civilian teammates and how this will impact them as well as our military workforce. Even though budget constraints will cause some turbulence in the short-term, there should be no doubt about the Navy’s enduring commitment to maintain security and stability in the vital Asia-Pacific. The U.S. Pacific Fleet remains on watch — as demonstrated March 1 when USS Freedom departed San Diego bound for Southeast Asia, marking the maiden deployment of the Navy’s first littoral combat ship. We will continue to deploy capable warfighting units forward to operate with our allies and partners. We will also continue to keep our Pacific Fleet Sailors, civilians and families informed. Our Navy team is strong, and with everyone’s help and understanding, we will overcome this new challenge.

Ending a two-year-long investigation that began in Kona, Vice Section officers served a search warrant Thursday on a home on Kokokahi Road in Glenwood. On the property was an underground bunker approximately 40 feet by 80 feet.

The setup of this growing operation, which used two large diesel generators to power the bunker’s fans and lights, posed a significant risk of fire and potentially a large explosion. With the assistance of the State Narcotics Enforcement Division and the Hawaiʻi Fire Department’s Hazmat Team, the large growing operation was safely dismantled.

Police recovered more than 500 marijuana plants (3-4 feet tall), approximately 10 pounds of dried marijuana and a small amount of hashish from the bunker and surrounding property.

Officers also seized and set for forfeiture $4,000 in cash, two vehicles, a backhoe, a trailer, three diesel generators and other tools. Total items for forfeiture totaled more than $100,000.

Charles Howard Lanham III

Police arrested 60-year-old Charles Howard Lanham III and 67-year-old Linda L. Stallings at the scene. The two were taken to the Hilo police cellblock while Vice Section detectives continued the investigation.

Linda L. Stallings

Friday afternoon, detectives charged each of them with two counts of first-degree commercial promotion of a detrimental drug, one count of second-degree commercial promotion of a detrimental drug, and five counts of possessing drug paraphernalia. Bail was set $42,000 for Lanham and $35,000 for Stallings. Both were released from police custody Saturday after posting bail.

Hawaiʻi Island police are investigating a possible drowning Friday in waters off Keahole Point in the Kona District.

Responding to an 8 p.m. call Friday (March 1), officers discovered that a 62-year-old woman, identified as Carolanne Perry of West Valley City, Utah, had been night diving when she experienced difficulty swimming. She was assisted back to the boat, where cardio-pulmonary resuscitation efforts began.

Emergency Medical Services personnel took Perry to Kona Community Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 8:54 p.m.

The case has been classified as a coroner’s inquest. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.